Tourism and accommodation

Starting a new caravan park, taking over an existing park or, looking to provide amplified music in the special entertainment precinct? You may need a licence.

Council regulates entertainment venues operating within the special entertainment precinct and caravan parks, camping grounds within our region. 

  • Amplified music venue

    Council regulates entertainment venues operating within the special entertainment precinct. If you are planning to have amplified music in the Nambour special entertainment precinct you may need a permit under Local Law No 1 (Administration) 2011. 

    Visit the operation of an amplified music venue within a special entertainment precinct page for more information.

  • Caravan parks and camping

    Council regulates accommodation (caravan) parks and camping grounds to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition and that they provide appropriate facilities. Complying with council's requirements will help provide a safe environment for your customers. 

    When you need approval

    The use of an area of land for accommodation in any of the following:

    In accordance with Sunshine Coast Regional Council Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2011 (PDF 218KB) and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Subordinate Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2016, Accommodation Parks are listed as a prescribed activity.

    Operation of accommodation parks means to operate, or permit access to or use of, on a commercial basis, 1 or more of the following:

    • a place for parking and residing in caravans, including a place that provides also for complementary accommodation;
    • a relocatable home park;
    • a camping ground.

    Steps for making an application/How to apply:

    Planning

    • Your first step when starting any caravan park or camping ground is to check if you need a planning approval.
    • Council’s planning scheme guides how land can be used and developed.
    • Caravan parks and camping grounds may need planning approval.

    Building Approval and Plumbing and Drainange 

    Building work in a caravan park and camping ground may include:

    • fitting out new facilities
    • installing rigid annexe to caravans
    • when caravans are used for long term residential purposes.

    All building work is assessed against the building assessment provisions (including, but not limited to, the National Construction Code and the Queensland Development Code) which set the minimum requirements for building structure, fire safety, access and egress, health and amenity, and energy efficiency.

    To find out if you need building approval, you can:

    Plumbing and drainage approval for the following activities:

    • release of trade waste to sewer
    • installation and maintenance of backflow prevention devices
    • use of non-reticulated water supply (tank water)
    • on-site sewage facilities.

    The Plumbing Code of Australia forms Volume 3 of the National Construction Code and contains the technical provisions for plumbing and drainage.

    Plumbing and drainage work should be conducted by a licensed plumber.

    Operation of an Accommodation Park

    Once you have the development approval or know it’s not required you will need to complete the Operation of Accommodation Park application (DOCX 248KB).

    The application fees are indicated on the form and it includes a credit card authorisation for payment. You can email the completed form to [email protected].

    Alternatively you can submit the application and pay in person at one of councils offices.

    Plans

    Caravan parks and camping grounds must be set out in accordance with council requirements.

    To assess the suitability of your premises, you are required to submit the following plans with your application:

    • Layout plans detailing the intended location of all caravan sites, buildings, cabins, camping areas and access roads to a suitable scale (e.g. 1:100). Ensure your plans show:
      • size and number of each campsite and caravan site
      • site boundaries, outlines of buildings and the use of the adjoining properties
      • the position and number of all amenities (toilet, shower and laundry facilities)
      • the position of all water points and waste receptacles
      • details of water quality, reticulation and drainage

    If you are not the owner of the land on which the caravan park or camping ground is to be situated, you will need to provide the written consent of the land owner.